New York Will Legalize Marijuana This Year, Cuomo Vows

Brendan Bures

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January 10, 2020

New York Will Legalize Marijuana This Year, Cuomo Vows

Governor Cuomo emphasized the need for New York to study marijuana and its effects, as well as the economic boon legalization could provide.

Governor Andrew Cuomo vowed in 2019 that New York would legalize adult-use marijuana, but the campaign fell apart in the state Senate when legislators couldn’t agree on social justice equity programs and tax revenue proposals. In his State of the State address this week, however, Cuomo assured 2020 will be the year the Empire State legalizes recreational cannabis.

Cuomo emphasized the need to legalize marijuana in order to combat disproportionate racial profiling in enforcing marijuana laws, as well as create criminal justice reform in healing the wounds caused by the nation’s war on drugs.

“For decades, communities of color were disproportionately affected by the unequal enforcement of marijuana laws,” Mr. Cuomo said. “Let’s legalize adult use of marijuana.”

Legal Weed Is Making An Impact On The Billion Dollar Sleep Market — Photo by Cavan Images/Getty Images

The governor also expressed a desire to work with neighboring states Pennsylvania, Connecticut, and New Jersey in a coordinated effort legalize cannabis in the Northeast. Like in New York, New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy ran on a campaign promise to legalize adult-use cannabis in the state, but battles between state lawmakers doomed any potential end to prohibition in the state. That said, Cuomo did add a caveat: New York would not wait for other states to legalize before doing so itself.

Gov. Cuomo also stated his intention for New York state universities to conduct valuable marijuana research should cannabis become legal in the state. His statement comes in the same week that Francis Collins, director of the National Institute of Health, explained that federal marijuana laws make it difficult for scientists to study cannabis and its potential effects nationwide. But Cuomo explained that we must better understand the plant in the future, and not repeat what happened with opioids.

“The federal government failed Americans with opioids,” Mr. Cuomo said, according to the New York Times. “And we cannot allow that to happen with cannabinoids.”

The Times also noted that New York currently faces a $6 billion budget gap, but Cuomo believes legalization could reverse the tides. According to Cuomo, the adult-use marijuana market would deliver $300 million in tax revenue, in addition to boosting the state economy through job creation and other financial benefits. He did add, however, that such revenue and improvement could take years to come to fruition.

Some CBD Pet Products Don’t Actually Contain Any CBD

Maria Loreto

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January 9, 2020

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Some CBD Pet Products Don’t Actually Contain Any CBD

Analysis of CBD products for pets found that many of these companies lie about the amount of compound they put into their products.

The manipulative nature of CBD product marketing appears to not only affect humans, but pets as well. According to research, a lot of CBD pet products contain minuscule amounts of the compound and, in some cases, none at all.

“You’d be astounded by the analysis we’ve seen of products on the shelf with virtually no CBD in them,” Joseph Wakshlag, veterinary researcher at Cornell University, told the Associated Press. “Or products with 2 milligrams per milliliter, when an effective concentration would be between 25 and 75 milligrams per milliliter. There are plenty of folks looking to make a dollar rather than produce anything that’s really beneficial.”

CBD products have received praise from people suffering from all sorts of ailments, most prominently seizures and anxiety, which is what the compound is known to treat in animals. Although CBD for pets can be purchased in different stores as treats and oils, plenty of vets advice against them since the compound has practically no scientific support.

Medical Marijuana For Pets — Photo by Jay Wennington via Unsplash

In many cases, CBD for pets ends up producing no results, with owners explaining that their dog’s behavior remained the same. Then there are cases that are extremely positive and that make us wonder how CBD hasn’t obtained the necessary funding for more scientific research.

“It’s amazing,” pet owner Amy Carter told the AP. Even though her vet advised against it, she began giving CBD oil to her dog as a way of treating his severe and recurrent seizures. “Bentley was having multiple seizures a week. To have only six in the past seven months is absolutely incredible,” she said.

It’s not known why CBD seems to work on some animals and not others, which is why these products should be approached with some care. Before you give it to your pet, you should speak to a professional and then, once you’ve hopefully obtained their approval, you must do some research.

Since there are so many CBD shams out there, the easiest way to ensure that your purchase is the real deal is to look for a product that has positive reviews, that contains the right amount of CBD and that has been tested by a third party.

Legal Cannabis Might Help Stop Alcohol-Related Deaths

Mike Adams

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January 9, 2020

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Legal Cannabis Might Help Stop Alcohol-Related Deaths

Reports show that binge drinking is down in states where weed is legal. People seem to be learning marijuana makes it easier to curb alcohol consumption.

There is a terrible drug epidemic presently underway in the United States that no one is talking that much about. Yet, it is a brutal beast that continues to kill off more Americans than opioids, the nation’s supposed arch nemesis, with the death toll skyrocketing to tens of thousands over the years. No, this isn’t some bizarre new powdered dope devised in the jungles of Colombia. We’re talking about alcohol here.

A recent federal study shows that alcohol-related deaths have more than doubled over the past decade. There are now somewhere around 73,000 people dropping dead each year in the U.S. because of booze. It’s a dire situation, too, one that continues to prove detrimental to the health of people from all walks of life. It’s just difficult for some to imagine that such a socially acceptable staple in our culture can be so dangerous.

As with anything, the only way a person can ensure they will not end up a casualty of the drink is to either quit or cut down immensely. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, safe alcohol consumption really only equates to two drinks per day for men and one for women. There have even been studies to emerge over the years, showing that no amount of alcohol is safe. So, it is plain to see just how easy it is for the average American to find themselves at the mercy of alcohol-related maladies, such as cirrhosis of the liver, a variety of cancers, stroke and heart disease. Oh yeah, and folks don’t need to be alcoholics to succumb to these conditions.

This is terrible news for those people who cannot face the world sober at all times. Few can. Considering the busy, stressful schedules of most people, trying to juggle careers, children, family and all, it is almost lunacy to suggest that anyone could end the day without a few drinks. But no one wants to end up on a slab down at the local morgue just because they were trying to relax at night with a cocktail.

boozy parents — Photo by Jetta Productions/Getty Images

And even if a person’s drinking habit doesn’t lead to the worst of the worst, alcohol is still linked to higher rates of obesity.

Considering the wellness trends of the times — adults are trying to get into shape and stay out of the hospital — a lot of people are simply looking for ways to curb their alcohol consumption without sacrificing the feel-good effects that they have come to enjoy. Some of them are learning that marijuana is a good alternative. Reports show that binge drinking is down in states where weed is legal. People seem to be learning that marijuana makes it easier to curb alcohol consumption.

There is some science to back up this switcheroo.

In 2009, a study published in Harm Reduction Journal found that medical marijuana patients in California were using less alcohol once they had access to legal weed. More than 50 percent of the hundreds of people surveyed said that cannabis had become a replacement for booze. Interestingly, even if a drinker doesn’t cut the booze out altogether, cannabis is still a viable option for cutting back to safer consumption levels.

Since marijuana is known for strengthening the effects of alcohol, people who use cannabis before they drink often do not use it as much. And, while there is still much to learn about the overall safety of cannabis, a study published in Scientific Reports indicates that marijuana is around 114 times safer than alcohol. As far as the available science goes, cannabis consumption does not lead to any of the ailments directly associated with booze. Therefore, the battle of the bottle may be a bit easier to fight with a little weed on your side.

Ohio To Consider If Being A Bengals Or Browns Fan Qualifies For Medical Marijuana

Brendan Bures

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January 9, 2020

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Ohio To Consider If Being A Bengals Or Browns Fan Qualifies For Medical Marijuana

Being a football fan in Ohio is rough, which is why some residents believe they need to medicate to endure the coming seasons.

This month, the Ohio State Medical board will consider a petition submitted by residents proposing additional qualifying conditions for medical marijuana. Among the 28 conditions included, such as lupus, anxiety, and depression, there’s one that sticks out as being particularly questionable: Bengals/Browns Fans.

Some residents evidently believe the misery associated with being a fan of Ohio’s professional football teams can only be cured through a prescription.

In all honesty, can you blame them? The last time the Cincinnati Bengals won a playoff game was 1990 when they defeated the Houston Oilers in the Wild Card round. In the following 29 years, they’ve only ended seven seasons with a winning record.

That is a lot of losing in Ohio.

The Incredible Truth About Marijuana And Bladder Cancer — Photo by Sezeryadigar/Getty Images

The State Medical Board’s Medical Marijuana Committee will now examine which should be considered as a qualifying condition. Medical marijuana experts and physicians will be consulted before the give their final recommendations to the full State Medical Board for a final vote.

The vote will take place this summer, according to expectations. Surely both physicians and medical marijuana experts will see that Browns and Bengals fans need some medicine to endure the coming football seasons.

How To Come Down From A Marijuana High Quickly

Danielle Guercio

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January 9, 2020

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How To Come Down From A Marijuana High Quickly

Getting un-high is not exactly as easy as you think, but there are certain things that can definitely help you out of a tight corner.

More people than ever have access to legal cannabis, which means it’s inevitable even more people are going to get a little too high. This is what many call “rookie syndrome,” when you just get too stoned to function normally. Here’s how to come down from a marijuana high quickly.

Whether smoking a high-THC strain for the first time, or eating something more potent than what you’re used to, getting too stoned is something that happens to many people at some point. Proper dosage greatly affects an experience, and that becomes hard to do when you’re smoking or eating something particularly tasty. Beginners are most susceptible to getting too stoned, but one don’t worry. You won’t die (nobody has yet)!

Getting un-high is not exactly as easy as you think, but there are certain things that can definitely help you out of a tight corner. Like many intoxicants, it’s really a waiting game, as you have to allow time for your body to metabolize the THC just like you would with alcohol. That’s also why edibles can be dicey, the effects take more time to fully present, and longer to die down as they travel through your system. Edibles and dosage in general can work on everyone differently, so if you don’t have a firm idea of your tolerance, caution is your best bet.

If somehow you find yourself glued to a couch or hiding under the covers imagining the FBI busting through the door, try one of these five ways to chill out.

One: Breathe

This can seem like a “duh” piece of advice, but it really isn’t easy to remember if you’re coughing up a lung or starting to hit an anxiety plateau. Deep belly breaths are important to do throughout the day for optimal oxygenation of your blood, but they can also get you out of a jam if things start feeling too fuzzy.

If you have a smartphone, a free app can prompt you to do this throughout the day, or whenever you need to check in. Just one minute of focused breathing is usually enough to undo a nosedive from a too-deep bong rip.

Two: Hydrate

Water has a way of undoing plenty of life’s mishaps. Chugging a big glass of water is not a silver bullet, but generally helps take the edge off any type of excess. Being dehydrated can also make you feel lightheaded to start, and mixing that with any substance is pretty much not ideal. Being hydrated before you even smoke is a great way to prevent drama.

CBD Water — Photo by TapisRouge via Pixabay

Three: Lemon Pepper

Science is slow to give us bedrock guidelines about not only dosage of cannabis, but how to alter, extend, or end a high. Right now what we know is based on “the entourage effect,” which is how cannabinoids and terpenes work together to create different intoxication effects. From what we know about terpenes, lemon and pepper share more than a few chemicals with cannabis.

It is these chemicals, piperine and limonene, that help to create an active, less anxious cannabis experience. This can help fish you out of a pothole too. Simply squeeze a lemon and crack some pepper into water, or waft peppercorns under your nose (but not up it). Essential oils would also work great for a quick fix. These terpenes help mitigate anxious or paranoid feelings, helping to center your stone.

Four: Caffeine Dream

Having a nice mid-afternoon coffee can’t make you un-high, but it can help you re-focus. If you find yourself too sleepy or foggy, caffeine is key to keeping the wheels on. Caffeine is one of the most consumed substances in the world and it’s because our brains work harder on it.

Coffee or tea can give you a few minutes to get it together, and if you’ve not eaten or had a pick-me-up in the afternoon, caffeine could be the tipping point between medicated and messed up. Just make sure the coffee does not contain cannabis as well.

Five: Eat/Shower/Take A Nap

These are all interchangeable to suit the situation you may find yourself in while too high. Taking a shower or simply hitting the pillow are last-ditch efforts to settle down an overzealous experience. In fact, being the basics of self care, eating, bathing, and sleeping could be just what you were missing, and can snap you out of a downward spiral so you can go about your business.

Getting too stone is tough regardless of you doing it on purpose or by accident. Use this how to come down from a marijuana high quickly handy so you can take a breather from being too up in the clouds.

Is Dave Chappelle Open To Sharing Mushrooms and Weed

Brendan Bures

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January 9, 2020

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Is Dave Chappelle Open To Sharing Mushrooms and Weed

Comedian Dave Chappelle will give you the mushrooms out of his pocket, but not the joint in his hand.

Last October, Dave Chappelle received the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor. It was a night of celebration, as many stars and comedians were in attendance to honor perhaps one of the world’s greatest living comedians. Only this week, however, has footage from this night been published online, revealing important anecdotes such as Chappelle’s stingy marijuana habits and his predilection for psychedelics in celebrating achievements.

Sarah Silverman was among the guest asked to speak at the event. A longtime friend who entered the comedy scene around the same time as Chappelle, Silverman couldn’t help bringing up how Chappelle shares weed with his friends. And by that, Silverman meant that Chappelle doesn’t share at all.

“We were together in Vancouver and he came over to smoke a joint. And that’s exactly what he did,” Silverman said. “He came over and he smoked a joint — the whole thing, like by himself — while pontificating about everything that’s wrong with the world.”

“I’ll tell you what’s wrong with the world — a lack of sharing,” she added. “I think it’s puff, puff, pass, not puff, puff, puff, puff.”

Donald Glover — Photo by Frazer Harrison/Staff/Getty Images

Aziz Ansari also shared a story about the time the pair co-headlined a string of shows last year in Austin, where Chappelle peer pressured him into taking psilocybin mushrooms on the eve before his Mark Twain Prize was announced.

“And he said, ‘What are you gonna tell your kids 20 years from now, Aziz? Are you gonna tell ’em, I was there the day Dave Chappelle found out he won the Mark Twain award and we ate mushrooms together, and we had the night of our lives? Or, are you gonna tell ’em you got some sleep?’ And I said, ‘Dave, you got a point. Let’s eat those mushrooms.'”

You can hear the whole story in this clip.

NIH Director Says Marijuana’s Legal Status Is ‘Big Deterrent’ To Research

Maria Loreto

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January 9, 2020

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NIH Director Says Marijuana’s Legal Status Is ‘Big Deterrent’ To Research

The director of the National Institute of Health explained that federal laws make it very hard to study marijuana in the U.S.

One of the main reasons why cannabis has taken so long to be absorbed into the mainstream is ignorance. Not only from people who refuse to budge on their outdated opinions, but because that even after the drug became legal in several states, marijuana and its compounds remain a mystery.

Last week, Francis Collins, director of the National Institute of Health, said that marijuana’s status as a Schedule 1 drug prevents scientists from researching the plant thoroughly, learning about its side effects and medicinal benefits.

“Frankly, we know far too little about the benefits and risks of smoked marijuana,” he said in an interview with C-SPAN. “There have been very few studies that have actually rigorously tested that.”

DOJ Continues To Sandbag Medical Marijuana Research — Photo by Nastasic/Getty Images

Collins explained that marijuana research conducted in the U.S. is very limited because researchers have to go through a crazy amount of hurdles. For starters, all marijuana products submitted to studies must come from locations that have been licensed by the National Institute of Drug Abuse (NIDA). Researchers must also obtain approval from the DEA and submit a form to the FDA if they want their study to get anywhere near humans.

The one place that has obtained NIDA approval is one farm in Mississippi.

“People don’t realize that I run a farm in Mississippi that grows marijuana because I’m required to do so,” said Collins. “But that’s the only source that investigators can use, and it may be rather different than what you could get in one of the states where marijuana is now approved in terms of its constituents.”

The University of Mississippi’s nationally licensed facility has been criticized for its limited output of products and for the fact that the cannabis they grow lacks components that can be found in crops of marijuana grown legally across the country.

While the government is trying to do their best to protect the public from the possible dangers of marijuana, by claiming the drug is Schedule 1, they’re doing the opposite.

Limiting research and knowledge of marijuana will only expose people to unknown compounds while also preventing researchers from learning about the plant’s promising medicinal benefits.

5 Ways To Prevent And Overcome Stress Eating

Maria Loreto

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January 9, 2020

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5 Ways To Prevent And Overcome Stress Eating

Having stress for long periods of time pushes people to seek comfort, sometimes in the shape of fatty foods.

We eat for all sorts of reasons, sometimes not even because we’re hungry. How many times a day do you open your fridge, hoping to miraculously see something new and unexpected? Food is as much nourishment as it is a distraction. Eating habits steam from the desire to entertain ourselves, to manage our stress, to pass the time or to make ourselves feel good.

While there’s nothing wrong with loving junk food, having such a charged relationship to it does mean that in stressful situations you might find yourself with an increased appetite as a coping mechanism. These meals tend to be fatty ones, making you feel comforted and happy, because who’s ever had a stress salad?

Here’s what you can do to temper these impulses and try to prevent stress eating:

Try identifying the source of your stress

If you feel that your increased eating patterns have an emotional hunger, try pinpointing the source. What’s going on in your life that’s currently affecting your emotions? Make a list of possible triggers, paying special attention to your relationships, work, health or financial issues.

Once you find the source of your anxiety, you can try to control this stress by meditating, working out more regularly or distracting yourself from food and whatever is bothering you problem.

Notice patterns

Try to pay attention to your relationship to food, noticing patterns in your behavior. Are you hungry or bored or anxious? Crazily enough, these pit of the stomach feelings can all blur together. When are you most likely to indulge in a snack? When does your hunger spike up?

An effective way of noticing these patterns is maintaining a food diary, writing down what and when you eat, and your levels of hunger.

Don’t deprive yourself of meals

A Dietitian Says This Is The Best Way To Stop Overeating — Photo by Szabo Viktor via Unsplash

Don’t try to convert this process into a weight loss program. Don’t deprive yourself of meals in hopes of managing your anxiety and losing weight simultaneously. Be patient with yourself and try to eat healthier. When eating, take the time to enjoy your food, chewing slowly and ensuring you’re satisfied by the end of the meal. Try to steer clear of binging patterns.

Keep hard to resist foods out of your house

Most people get food cravings when they’re bored, likely at home after they’ve completed the day’s tasks. Avoid temptations by keeping your home clear of snacks you love. It’s also important to have healthy food available. That way you’ll prevent yourself from ordering in or buying unhealthy snacks because you feel like there’s no other option.

Get help

If your stress eating is becoming a concern for you, reach out to someone you trust or look for online resources. There are plenty of support groups that can be used as spots to vent and that can connect you with experts and therapists.

Sephora Kicks Off 2020 By Launching Their Largest CBD Partnership Yet

Maria Loreto

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January 8, 2020

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Sephora Kicks Off 2020 By Launching Their Largest CBD Partnership Yet

Sephora will be selling Saint Jane products in 281 of their stores across the country beginning January 10.

After partnering up with popular CBD brands like Lord Jones and Herbivore, Sephora, one of the world’s leading beauty retailers, is taking a different approach. The $4 billion company is kicking off 2020 by partnering up with Saint Jane, a new and independent CBD beauty company. This partnership is Sephora’s largest CBD investment yet.

Starting January 10, Saint Jane products are expected to make appearances in 281 Sephora stores across 22 states in the U.S.. The products will be displayed on Sephora’s Indie Beauty Wall, the spot reserved for the most promising and up and coming brands.

The cultural shift and embrace that CBD has experienced over the last couple of years is reflected in Sephora’s evolving business model. When they launched their partnership with Lord Jones in 2018, only 171 of their stores carried the products, despite the fact that Lord Jones was already a popular brand, beloved by celebrities and beauticians alike.

Casey Georgeson, founder and CEO of Saint Jane, was surprised by Sephora’s investment in the company. “Even with my background, to be totally honest, I thought, ‘There is no way Sephora is going to bring this on. We’re not even a brand yet. We have 100 followers on Instagram,’” she told Forbes. Georgeson is a veteran of the business, having worked with Marc Jacobs, Kat Von D and Disney for Sephora.

The Risks Of Infusing Hemp-CBD Topical Products With Essential Oils And Menthol — Photo by IRA_EVVA/Getty Images

Saint Jane has only been around for a year, but it has garnered a lot of acclaim and praise from all sorts of users and news outlets. Nowadays, their products can be found in stores like Neiman Marcus, Space NK and Saks Fifth Avenue.

Saint Jane, instead of claiming that CBD is a miracle drug like many other beauty brands, chooses to view the compound as a vitamin, one that works extremely well when paired with the right compounds and properties. Their products are sourced from sustainable, female-owned hemp farms and contain the highest concentration of CBD per facial serum on the market.

“As the [beauty] industry gets more educated on cannabis, people are starting to see it as more of a supplement—a good for you ingredient versus as a psychoactive,” says Georgeson.

A lot has been said about CBD and the hurdles it must overcome when it comes to gaining FDA approval and earning the trust of its users through scientific support. While that issue shows no signs of resolving any time soon, the beauty industry remains as enamored with CBD as ever.

5 Animal Videos To Save Your Week: Jan. 6

Maria Loreto

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January 8, 2020

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5 Animal Videos To Save Your Week: Jan. 6

This week’s animals feature plenty of adorable cats and dogs. Happy Wednesday!

There’s no better pick-me-up than the one you get when you see a clip of an animal acting silly, which is why we’ve compiled this weekly column. These short videos feature all sorts of animals and can provide that much needed mid-week rush of endorphins, anywhere at any time.

This week’s column goes back to basics, featuring a gorgeous mix of cats and dogs. For some reason, the majority of the dogs featured on this list are Frenchies. Have a look.

Snores

https://www.instagram.com/p/B69G8EaHxZm/

It’s very surprising how such loud and guttural sounds come from a small dog. That is, if you’ve never met a Frenchie. Even if I’d get no sleep again, I’d put up with those sounds for that adorable face.

A great actor

https://www.instagram.com/p/B6-zG1Eg7ab/

This Frenchie, who’s for some reason inside the bro-iest gym ever, can play dead like no other. Now, someone get him out of there before a weight falls on him.

A buddha sphinx

https://www.instagram.com/p/B7Ci5SqFjzM/

I have a soft spot for Sphynx cats. They’re wrinkly, grumpy and they make me laugh. This guy, who manages to nap while still holding a yoga pose, will surely convert people who find Sphynx cats’ lack of hair disturbing.

A slow motion fall

https://www.instagram.com/p/B7Bu_RBl0_y/

Capturing a falling cat on video is no easy feat, which is why this video is awesome. Also, this cat and its fumbling little paw are very cute.

Please don’t touch

https://www.instagram.com/p/B65ynRlFwac/

This moody yet totally patient cat wants to be left alone. Instead of hissing the affection away, like some cats I know would, this guy just politely but decisively kicks off the offending hand. Alone time now, please.

The Fresh ToastThe most trusted name in cannabis

New York Will Legalize Marijuana This Year, Cuomo Vows

Governor Cuomo emphasized the need for New York to study marijuana and its effects, as well as the economic boon legalization could provide.

Some CBD Pet Products Don’t Actually Contain Any CBD

Analysis of CBD products for pets found that many of these companies lie about the amount of compound they put into their products.

Ohio To Consider If Being A Bengals Or Browns Fan Qualifies For Medical Marijuana

Being a football fan in Ohio is rough, which is why some residents believe they need to medicate to endure the coming seasons.

How To Come Down From A Marijuana High Quickly

Getting un-high is not exactly as easy as you think, but there are certain things that can definitely help you out of a tight corner.

One: Breathe

Two: Hydrate

Three: Lemon Pepper

Four: Caffeine Dream

Five: Eat/Shower/Take A Nap

Is Dave Chappelle Open To Sharing Mushrooms and Weed

Comedian Dave Chappelle will give you the mushrooms out of his pocket, but not the joint in his hand.

NIH Director Says Marijuana’s Legal Status Is ‘Big Deterrent’ To Research

The director of the National Institute of Health explained that federal laws make it very hard to study marijuana in the U.S.

5 Ways To Prevent And Overcome Stress Eating

Having stress for long periods of time pushes people to seek comfort, sometimes in the shape of fatty foods.

Try identifying the source of your stress

Notice patterns

Don’t deprive yourself of meals

Keep hard to resist foods out of your house

Get help

Sephora Kicks Off 2020 By Launching Their Largest CBD Partnership Yet

Sephora will be selling Saint Jane products in 281 of their stores across the country beginning January 10.

5 Animal Videos To Save Your Week: Jan. 6

This week’s animals feature plenty of adorable cats and dogs. Happy Wednesday!

Snores

A great actor

A buddha sphinx

A slow motion fall

Please don’t touch

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